Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves Issues Executive Order Mandating Masks Be Worn Statewide

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced a new executive order Tuesday, August 4, 2020, that requires every Mississippian to wear a mask at public gatherings and when shopping for the next two weeks. 

The announcement comes as coronavirus cases and deaths continue to surge and more than 1 in 5 COVID-19 tests in Mississippi are coming back positive, a staggering rate that indicates rampant infection.

Reeves said wearing a mask is irritating, but important to stop the spread of coronavirus.

“I hate it more than anybody watching today,” Reeves said at a press conference.

Asked about the timing of the mandate, Reeves said he is issuing the executive order because many people are already following it and he felt an order would now have more impact.

“The reason we issued the mask mandate statewide today is because I believe that a large number of Mississippians are actually participating in slowing down the spread of the virus,” Reeves said. “They are doing exactly what they’ve asked them to do, and I’m proud of that.”

He previously issued three separate executive orders requiring mask mandates in 37 of Mississippi’s 82 counties, including some of the state’s most populous areas. According to Reeves, those mandates already covered much of Mississippi’s population.

“We have a lot of COVID activity throughout the state right now, so it is absolutely critical that anyone infected with COVID-19, and not hospitalized, must remain in the home or other appropriate residential location for 14 days from onset of illness,” Dr. Thomas Dobbs said in a news release. 

Not doing so can result in a misdemeanor fine of $500, up to six months in jail or both. If a life-threatening disease is involved, failure or refusal to obey the order will be considered a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, up to five years in jail or both, according to Dobbs.